Apparatus attachable to skin to communicate targeted area

Abstract

An adhesive cover and method of use in which the cover is well-suited to effectively cover a temporary tattoo utilized in radiation therapy treatments. The cover includes a transparent, flexible layer with an optional rigid layer releasably adhered thereto. The first, flexible layer has a lower adhesive surface, an upper low-adhesion surface and a predefined peripheral edge. The second, rigid layer has a lower surface releasably adhered to the upper low-adhesion surface of the first layer, an opposing upper exposed surface, and a peripheral edge cooperative with the predefined peripheral edge of the first layer to preserve the integrity of the first layer during handling and application. The second layer is removed from the first layer only after the first layer is adhered to a patient's skin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus that is releasably attachable to a portion of a patient's skin to communicate a targeted area of the patient's skin and ensure that radiation is directed to an appropriate area of the patient, the apparatus comprising:
 a carrier substrate defining a releasable surface thereon; and   at least one cover comprising a relatively flexible and substantially transparent layer defining a substantially transparent central portion and having an adhesive lower surface releasably superimposed on a continuous portion of the releasable surface of the carrier substrate, an upper surface located on an opposite side of the flexible and substantially transparent layer relative to the lower surface, and a configuration enabling it to be 1) removable from the releasable surface of the carrier substrate without substantially wrinkling; and 2) attachable to the patient's skin with the adhesive lower surface adhesively engaging the skin substantially without wrinkling and in a position with the lower and upper surfaces of the central portion overlying the targeted area of the patient's skin to ensure that radiation is directed to an appropriate area of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible layer includes printing, printed matter or indicia allowing information to be communicated. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the upper surface of the flexible layer includes the printing, printed matter or indicia thereon. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the flexible layer is substantially transparent and the printing, printed matter or indicia is substantially opaque. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a second layer superimposed on the flexible and substantially transparent layer. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the second layer is configured to facilitate manual gripping of the cover and applying of the cover to the patient's skin. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the second layer is firmer than the flexible and substantially transparent layer to at least substantially maintain its shape under its own weight and the weight of the flexible and substantially transparent layer. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the second layer is releasably adhered to the upper surface of the flexible and substantially transparent layer. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the second layer is substantially opaque. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the flexible and substantially transparent layer defines a thickness within a range of about 1/50 mm to about 1/25 mm, and the second layer defines a thickness within a range of about 1/50 mm to about 2/25 mm. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible and substantially transparent layer defines a substantially circular shape, a substantially oval shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially curvilinear shape, or a substantially rectilinear shape. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a maximum width or diameter of the flexible and substantially transparent layer is within a range of about 10 mm to about 40 mm. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the maximum width or diameter of the flexible and substantially transparent layer is within a range of about 20 mm to about 30 mm. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the second layer is separated into at least two portions. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the second layer defines a seam that divides the second layer into separable portions. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein substantially the entirety of the flexible and substantially transparent layer is transparent. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus that is releasably attachable to a portion of a patient's skin to communicate a targeted area of the patient's skin and ensure that radiation is directed to an appropriate area of the patient, the apparatus comprising:
 first means defining a substantially transparent central portion, an adhesive lower surface, and an opposing upper surface, for manually manipulating the first means substantially without wrinkling and attaching the first means to the patient's skin with the adhesive lower surface adhesively engaging the skin substantially without wrinkling and in a position with the lower and upper surfaces overlying the targeted area of the patient's skin to ensure that radiation is directed to an appropriate area; and   second means defining a continuous surface underlying the first means for releasably supporting the first means thereon and allowing manual removal of the first means therefrom substantially without wrinkling.   
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the first means is a relatively flexible layer defining the lower surface including an adhesive thereon and the upper surface, wherein the lower surface of the first layer is releasably engageable by the adhesive with the patient's skin in a position overlying the targeted area of the patient's skin and is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 17 , further comprising third means superimposed on the first means and firmer than the first means for manually gripping the first and third means while substantially maintaining the shape of the first and third means under their own weight, manually adhesively and removably attaching the first means to the patient's skin in a position overlying the targeted area of the patient's skin substantially without wrinkling thereof, and manually gripping the third means and removing the third means from the first means adhered to the patient's skin. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the first means further includes printing, printed matter or indicia thereon allowing information to be communicated. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the printing, printed matter or indicia is substantially opaque. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus that is releasably attachable to a portion of a patient's skin to communicate a targeted area of the patient's skin and ensure that radiation is directed to an appropriate area of the patient, the apparatus comprising:
 a carrier substrate defining a releasable surface thereon; and   at least one cover comprising a relatively flexible and substantially transparent layer defining a transparent central portion, and including an adhesive lower surface releasably superimposed on a continuous portion of the releasable surface of the carrier substrate, an upper surface located on an opposite side of the flexible and substantially transparent layer relative to the lower surface, printing, printed matter or indicia thereon allowing information to be communicated, and a configuration enabling the flexible and substantially transparent layer to be 1) removable from the releasable surface of the carrier substrate substantially without wrinkling; and 2) attachable to the patient's skin with the adhesive lower surface adhesively engaging the skin substantially without wrinkling and in a position with the lower and upper surfaces of the central portion overlying the targeted area of the patient's skin to ensure that radiation is directed to an appropriate area of the patient.   
     
     
         23 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the printing, printed matter or indicia is substantially opaque and communicates information.